Monvillea speguzzinii cristata

Selling Size : Single Plant | Pot Included | Secure Packing 

The Monvillea spegazzinii cristata (also known as Cereus spegazzinii f. cristatus or “Moonlight Cactus Crest”) is a fascinating, fast-growing cactus known for its beautiful, wavy, and fan-like crested growth, which can display shades of blue, purple, or pink under stress or strong light. It is a low-maintenance plant, thriving on standard cactus care practices.

Here is a guide to caring for your Monvillea speguzzinii cristata:

1. Light Requirements

• Ideal: Bright, indirect light to filtered sun. Outdoors, this often means bright morning sun and light afternoon shade.
• Indoors: A bright window (such as a south or west-facing window, depending on your hemisphere) is best.
• Coloration: Strong light is crucial. It helps maintain the compact crested form and encourages the unique bluish, purplish, or pinkish blush/mottling on the stems.
• Caution: While it loves bright light, direct, intense midday sun, especially in hot climates, can cause sunburn (crispy brown spots). Acclimate it slowly to brighter conditions if moving it outdoors.

2. Watering

• Rule of Thumb: Use the “soak and dry” method. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of root rot.
• Growing Season (Spring and Summer): Water thoroughly once the soil is dry. It appreciates regular watering during this active growth period.
• Dormancy (Fall and Winter): Significantly reduce watering. The plant is dormant and needs only minimal moisture to prevent shriveling.
• Drainage: Always ensure the pot has excellent drainage holes and that no water is left sitting in the saucer.

3. Soil and Potting

• Soil Mix: Requires a very well-draining cactus or succulent soil mix.
  • To improve drainage, mix standard cactus soil with coarse sand, perlite, pumice, or gravel.
• Potting: Use a pot with a drainage hole. Clay or terracotta pots are great because they allow the soil to breathe and dry out faster.
• Repotting: Repot in the spring or fall. Repot young plants every year, and mature plants every 2–3 years or when it outgrows the container.

4. Temperature and Humidity

• Temperature: Prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 30°C) during the growing season.
• Cold Tolerance: It is slightly frost-hardy but should be protected from freezing temperatures. The minimum winter temperature should be around 50°F (10°C). Bring it indoors if frost is expected.
• Humidity: It prefers low to moderate humidity, typical of its arid native habitat.

5. Fertilizing

• Frequency: Feed sparingly during the active growing season (spring and summer).
• Type: Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer formulated for cacti or succulents. Apply at half-strength every 4–6 weeks.
• Dormancy: Do not fertilize during the fall and winter months.

6. Special Notes

• Growth Habit: This is considered a fast-growing crested cactus. The crested form (cristata) grows in wavy, ribbon-like or fan shapes, unlike the straight columnar growth of the normal species.
• Flowers: When mature and happy, it can produce large, nocturnal flowers (opening at night) that are typically reddish on the outside and white/pale pink on the inside.
• Propagation: The crested form is typically propagated via cuttings from a healthy crest segment, as it rarely produces viable seeds. Allow the cutting to callus over for several days before planting in dry, well-draining soil.